Lew Brewer strikes again

Lew Brewer's arrogance reached new heights yesterday at the barely civil So Cal listening meeting when a father spoke eloquently about his concern that the USTA was taking the fun out of tennis. Lew told him there was a plate of cookies at the back of the room and he should take one home to cheer his kid up. Is this guy for real - must know where the bodies are buried at the USTA to hold onto his job. He is an embarrassment to the organization not to mention he barely had command of the fact surrounding the effect of the changes.

Just curious, what examples did the father cite that are taking the fun out of tennis?

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There were a number of comments made that the new 32 draw level 2 and 3 tournaments had become soulless events with the kids forced to play sometimes 4 matches in a day and up to 10 over a 3 day period. Age groups at different locations forcing families to split up if there is more than one kid playing etc - comparison to the old Copper Bowl/ Quicksilver events. Asked for a show of hands at the end of the meeting one parent out of about 50-60 in attendance expressed support for the changes and the direction USTA is taking - it was pretty one sided. Lew tried with a straight face to argue that there was support out there for the changes but couldn't explain where they were last night!

Lew Brewer's arrogance reached new heights yesterday at the barely civil So Cal listening meeting when a father spoke eloquently about his concern that the USTA was taking the fun out of tennis. Lew told him there was a plate of cookies at the back of the room and he should take one home to cheer his kid up. Is this guy for real - must know where the bodies are buried at the USTA to hold onto his job. He is an embarrassment to the organization not to mention he barely had command of the fact surrounding the effect of the changes.

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He offered the wrong option to the dad should have offered Disneyland not cookies but what people are not getting here in the USA is we want " everything" to be " fun" and positive and that's where we miss the point , competition is not suppose to be fun it's a challenge but for the spectators it's entertainment . I agree with Lee on this one .

He offered the wrong option to the dad should have offered Disneyland not cookies but what people are not getting here in the USA is we want " everything" to be " fun" and positive and that's where we miss the point , competition is not suppose to be fun it's a challenge but for the spectators it's entertainment . I agree with Lee on this one .

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Brad - not sure everyone would agree with you but it's a legitimate point of view particularly for a kid like DB where it's life,death or the pro tour. Lew could have made that point without patronizing his constituency if that was what he was trying to say. Unfortunately i don't think that was the case here. Lew was tongue tie and blurted out the first thing that came to mind!

He offered the wrong option to the dad should have offered Disneyland not cookies but what people are not getting here in the USA is we want " everything" to be " fun" and positive and that's where we miss the point , competition is not suppose to be fun it's a challenge but for the spectators it's entertainment . I agree with Lee on this one .

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Competition is absolutely supposed to be fun and challenging. It's called "love of the game" bro. Listen to Fed talk - the guy LOVES and respects the game.

"I reached out to Tim Russell, Patrick McEnroe, Lew Brewer, and others to get a better understanding of what USTA is trying to accomplish with its changes to the 2014 Junior Competition schedule. I emailed them the link to my article along with some specific follow-up questions. While Patrick did reply that he would call me to discuss my questions, I haven’t yet heard from him. However, I did have multiple lengthy phone conversations with both Tim Russell and Lew Brewer – a big thank you to both gentlemen for taking the time to talk with me – and here’s what I found out during those calls:

( I pulled out some of Lew's comments - strange at best. )

USTA has stated that it decided to reduce the draw sizes (see page 3 of the FAQ) partially because it wants to reduce costs for families and shorten the tournaments so players miss fewer days of school. Justifying the 128 draw size in the boys nationals in Kalamazoo, traditionally a great recruiting opportunity for college coaches, Lew said, “Honestly, while there are coaches who are interested in the 129th player to the 192nd player, more are looking at that top 128.” ...

.. Lew went on to say that if a player wants the Kalamazoo t-shirt that badly, he (Lew) would send him one.

Lastly, we discussed the online survey that USTA did a couple of years ago. Overwhelmingly, those who took the time to answer the survey questions said they would prefer tournaments have smaller draws so they would take fewer days to complete (and, as a result, be less expensive for families and require missing fewer days of school). I pointed out to Lew that nowhere in the survey was it mentioned that the results would be used to justify the changes that we’re now seeing in the national schedule. I told him that if USTA had disclosed the fact that they were going to use the survey responses to justify cutting the draws at our country’s top junior events, I was sure parents would have answered differently. Best case scenario is that this is a case of poor communication on USTA’s part. Lew Brewer says, “No one expects everyone to agree with the plan for 2014, but it WILL become effective on January 1, 2014. I think a lot of this mirrors the health-care debate. There are many who want to appeal the affordable care act. It is scheduled to become fully effective on January 1, 2014. Just like our plan, very few Americans have read the affordable health care act and are reacting to what is broadcast on the news or the blogs. The smart money – the insurance companies and healthcare providers – are preparing for 2014, because they can’t afford to be left behind if the law is not repealed.

He offered the wrong option to the dad should have offered Disneyland not cookies but what people are not getting here in the USA is we want " everything" to be " fun" and positive and that's where we miss the point , competition is not suppose to be fun it's a challenge but for the spectators it's entertainment . I agree with Lee on this one .

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I agree with Chalk on this one coach. You have to love the battle, love the challenge. One of the things I remind myself when down in tough battle- enjoy the moment enjoy the battle. Helps me relax, play better.

I agree with Chalk on this one coach. You have to love the battle, love the challenge. One of the things I remind myself when down in tough battle- enjoy the moment enjoy the battle. Helps me relax, play better.

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There are many different sides to this question about competition, and many different arguments to be made pro or con.
( compounded by issues of age, maturity, goals, siblings playing at the same site, etc).

I think the OP is stating that a serious question by a parent was met with a sarcastic and frankly, belittling response.

"Take a cookie" is not an appropriate answer by the Director of Junior Competition for USTA Player Development.

He offered the wrong option to the dad should have offered Disneyland not cookies but what people are not getting here in the USA is we want " everything" to be " fun" and positive and that's where we miss the point , competition is not suppose to be fun it's a challenge but for the spectators it's entertainment . I agree with Lee on this one .

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I think you're taking what the dad is saying out of context... what most people are referring to is the "fun" in competing with kids all over, not just the same old ones in their backyard.

BB....to you and me tennis can be hard work for kids and not all fun and games. But we still need people to play against along the way.

The majority can choose other sports or just play tennis casually. If the parents think the USTA changes take the fun out of tennis, they have the options of moving on. Very few look at tennis with our goals.

So if we only look at junior tennis as hard work, no fun, goal of being a pro, and eliminate the attraction for every one else, the 12s-16s will have about 2 kids at each tournament.

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I think you (and Lew) are misinterpreting what was meant by "fun". At this level, we're not talking about cookies and T-shirt fun, we're talking about the fun of battling through large draws, meeting up with many rivals, keeping connections that may be useful someday, etc.

Someone said above that the "soul" is being taken out of these tournaments. I think that says it much better. Events need to be electric, exciting, challenging, and make kids feel like they are competing for something worthwhile, instead of just slogging it out for Dad.

BB....to you and me tennis can be hard work for kids and not all fun and games. But we still need people to play against along the way.

The majority can choose other sports or just play tennis casually. If the parents think the USTA changes take the fun out of tennis, they have the options of moving on. Very few look at tennis with our goals.

So if we only look at junior tennis as hard work, no fun, goal of being a pro, and eliminate the attraction for every one else, the 12s-16s will have about 2 kids at each tournament.

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Fair enough on your point but once again I believe when your in your kids face off court hugging them and telling them you love them then when your on court telling them this is gonna be work it's not meant to be fun but grueling and follow it with your the best and I believe in you it settles well with the kids .

Fair enough on your point but once again I believe when your in your kids face off court hugging them and telling them you love them then when your on court telling them this is gonna be work it's not meant to be fun but grueling and follow it with your the best and I believe in you it settles well with the kids .

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No argument there. This was about the comments on tournament changes taking the soul of of them. For those who have been to a major, the atmosphere is electric, big draw, the best players, buzz all over the place, tons of entertainment for fans... and yes, the biggest challenge in tennis. Isn't that what the end goal is for national level juniors? Wouldn't you want to inject some of that instead of watering it down, which is what the poster was saying.

No argument there. This was about the comments on tournament changes taking the soul of of them. For those who have been to a major, the atmosphere is electric, big draw, the best players, buzz all over the place, tons of entertainment for fans... and yes, the biggest challenge in tennis. Isn't that what the end goal is for national level juniors? Wouldn't you want to inject some of that instead of watering it down, which is what the poster was saying.

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There is a sense of excitement at a big tournament versus a 32.

Usually the location is better, stringing, concession, goodies, lots of kids,
different friends to hang out with, lots of tennis to watch and usually better viewing.

Those are the factors that seem to make it more fun instead of showing up at a small location
to pretty much play the same kids you just saw at the last regional who you also happen to see at your sectional.

Usually the location is better, stringing, concession, goodies, lots of kids,
different friends to hang out with, lots of tennis to watch and usually better viewing.

Those are the factors that seem to make it more fun instead of showing up at a small location
to pretty much play the same kids you just saw at the last regional who you also happen to see at your sectional.

Usually the location is better, stringing, concession, goodies, lots of kids,
different friends to hang out with, lots of tennis to watch and usually better viewing.

Those are the factors that seem to make it more fun instead of showing up at a small location
to pretty much play the same kids you just saw at the last regional who you also happen to see at your sectional.

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For those whose goal is college, playing supers is the equivalent of playing in a Grand Slam.

For those who haven't played a super, it's what is stated above, total excitement for both player and family.

Starting with check in, meeting up with other players/families, getting that T shirt, yes that T shirt are life time memories.

If the parents and players want the large draws and there is no cost associated with it, why not. Personally I would rather go across the street to play than across the country. I get the same thrill in a close social match close to home as a sectional final (which I have played many times) far away.

If the parents and players want the large draws and there is no cost associated with it, why not. Personally I would rather go across the street to play than across the country. I get the same thrill in a close social match close to home as a sectional final (which I have played many times) far away.

Back to the OP though, has anyone had a positive experience with Len Brewer? Regardless of whether we agree with him on the merits, I have never been with him at a meeting where he has not been condescending and disrespectful. Frankly, it can't help but taint my opinion of the USTA that they have chosen him to be one of their public faces during this "listening" tour . . . .

Hopefully resolution is around the corner so everyone can get back to tennis. I suspect the Euro's are sitting back and laughing as US tennis parents, coaches, and organizations get worked up over the proposed changes.

I disagree with USTA changes and clearly Brewer is a rude person overall. But, if somebody told me that USTA is the reason a 7 year old is already losing interest in tennis, I might get ticked off too.

I disagree with USTA changes and clearly Brewer is a rude person overall. But, if somebody told me that USTA is the reason a 7 year old is already losing interest in tennis, I might get ticked off too.

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Rina I totally agree. Copper Bowl or no Copper Bowl my kid still loves tennis. 32 draw or 128 draw, my kid will still be grinding away and loving every minute of it.

We'll deal with the changes or whatever the new world order is once the smoke clears. In the meantime, I have tuned out almost all of the chatter regarding the changes as it is a distraction, repetitive, and exhausting.

Rina I totally agree. Copper Bowl or no Copper Bowl my kid still loves tennis. 32 draw or 128 draw, my kid will still be grinding away and loving every minute of it.

We'll deal with the changes or whatever the new world order is once the smoke clears. In the meantime, I have tuned out almost all of the chatter regarding the changes as it is a distraction, repetitive, and exhausting.

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Have to agree. For the 1% and future 1% of potential national championship competitors, I see their position. However its mostly the parents who seem bothered. Kids can either play at that level or not. Yea, the WC situation is goofy. Overall it's not going to change the fact a kid loves tennis or not. The changes won't make a difference for college tennis prospects either. Coaches know where the players are, how to find them and where they can go to see them play for scouting purposes.

I disagree with USTA changes and clearly Brewer is a rude person overall. But, if somebody told me that USTA is the reason a 7 year old is already losing interest in tennis, I might get ticked off too.

Rina I totally agree. Copper Bowl or no Copper Bowl my kid still loves tennis. 32 draw or 128 draw, my kid will still be grinding away and loving every minute of it.

We'll deal with the changes or whatever the new world order is once the smoke clears. In the meantime, I have tuned out almost all of the chatter regarding the changes as it is a distraction, repetitive, and exhausting.

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...I've tried, but I keep getting pulled back in. I will be playing parent advocate of the junior comp changes on UR10s Network's Parenting Aces this Monday at Noon eastern time.

Have to agree. For the 1% and future 1% of potential national championship competitors, I see their position. However its mostly the parents who seem bothered. Kids can either play at that level or not. Yea, the WC situation is goofy. Overall it's not going to change the fact a kid loves tennis or not. The changes won't make a difference for college tennis prospects either. Coaches know where the players are, how to find them and where they can go to see them play for scouting purposes.

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andfor,

i hate to sound like the mutual admiration society here but, are you an experienced tennis parent? You either have learned from living it as a player, have raised more than one tennis kid, or you're getting some solid guidance. You obviously get it.

i hate to sound like the mutual admiration society here but, are you an experienced tennis parent? You either have learned from living it as a player, have raised more than one tennis kid, or you're getting some solid guidance. You obviously get it.

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Both thanks. I'll private message about my coaching but not out here. The kids names don't need to be anywhere near this nut house. I'm one of 'em. Ha Ha.